Based on the novel by Mark Haddon, The Curious Incident tells the story of 15-year-old Christopher Boone. He loves maths, his pet rat Toby, and the colour red. He notices every detail, and he does not lie. The story starts in the middle of the night, where Christopher discovers that his neighbour's dog, Wellington, has been killed with a garden fork. This sparks an investigation to find out who murdered him. However, in his quest, Christopher uncovers a shocking family secret that upends his life and leads him on a solo journey to London.
Simon Stephens' play starts with Christopher sitting beside Wellington the dog and Mrs Shears (Alison Griffin), who is crying out in shock. The action is brought in straight away, and it doesn't take long for the humour to seep through, nor does the pace slow down. Siobhan (Claire Durrant), Christopher's teacher, narrates his ‘story', as if it is Christopher speaking, which adds a two-dimensional layer to the play and brings his mind to life.
Rory Hobson did a phenomenal job of bringing the character of Christopher to life; his mannerisms, bluntness, and the way he moved on stage translated exactly as the character is portrayed in the award-winning novel and the original stage play adaptation. Because of the uniqueness of his character and the story's fast-paced nature, you are instantly invested in following Christopher on his journey. This brilliant play delves into the neurodiverse human mind in a neurotypical world and the challenges of life not quite unfolding as you're used to.
The staging is used effectively to convey the story as well. Most of the actors play multiple characters, and move around on stage as part of the background, for example, a crowd of people at the train station, or acting as a ‘cash machine'. They also move boxes around on stage that are used as seats, a train, or a desk. This shows a shift in setting while keeping the set as simplistic and spacious as possible. Lighting helps with this shift, and Martin Walton did a brilliant job directing this. Having the screen at the back also added a unique element to this version of the play, too. It was used to show a station, a park, or signage, for example, and sometimes used to show Christopher playing Tetris or working out maths equations.
I have read the novel, and also seen the stage play when it toured years ago. The original stage play won seven Olivier Awards and five Tony Awards, and while Stephen's production was presented as an amateur play, it did not feel like it. I was blown away, too, with how Roger Beumont directed this adaptation. The actors were incredibly talented, the set and video composition were distinctive, and I found this production even more hilarious and moving.
Overall, Simon Stephen's production of The Curious Incident brings to life the neurodivergent mind in a challenging scenario, with humour and gripping entertainment integrated thoughtfully and masterfully.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is playing at Questors Theatre until 28th March 2026.
Review: Cara-Louise Scott-Lapish